Al Salhi: "Signals coming from Hamas, positive progress that should be invested”

Tuesday April 22, 2008 15:39 by Manar Jibrin - IMEMC News

Bassam Al Salihi, secretary-general of the leftist Palestinian People Party, stated on Tuesday that "the signals that came from Hamas movement over its acceptance of establishing a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders are a positive progress that should be invested."

Bassam al Salhi

The statements  of Al Salhi were broadcasted in an interview with the Palestinian Radio. He said that major efforts should be made and invested in order to clarify the available options without being submissive to Israel and its preconditions and demands.

He added that the Palestinians do not need to give Israel more recognition, as the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) already recognized Israel through the National Reconciliation Document that Authorized the PLO to negotiate with it.

Al Salhi also stated that the PLO accepted the establishment of a Palestinian Independent State within the 1967 borders, and when Hamas officially accepts this issue, then the movement will not be different than other factions that are under the umbrella of the PLO.

He clarified that what is important right now is the PLO program which is based on accepting the establishment of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders, which Hamas had rejected previously but is accepted by the movement now.

 Al Salhi said that this issue is an important development, adding that the urgent issue now is that all factions should empower the Palestinian negotiations stance though a united position which rejects the Israel violations, especially since Israel is acting in order to void any possibilities of establishing a contiguous Palestinian State.

 He concluded by saying that "the needed step is heading to a national reconciliation that politically supports the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to empower his positions as he negotiates with Israel.

Al Salhi also stated that unity of the Palestinians provides real alternatives in case of the failure of the peace talks and at the same time, unity strengthens the Palestinians stance and legitimate demands. 

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